The company’s retail consumers will be able to make money by switching off their appliances when the electricity demand in power grid is high.Sarita Singh | ET Bureau | Updated: January 27, 2016, 08:24 IST

NEW DELHI: Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL) is waiting for approvals from the government and electricity regulator to roll out interactive services to consumers to enable them to control electrical appliances from outside their homes.

The company’s retail consumers will also be able to make money by switching off their appliances when the electricity demand in power grid is high, once the approvals are in place, a TPDDL spokesperson said.

The company has implemented pilot projects for about 200 of its consumers and expects to introduce the scheme to all of its consumers within six months of obtaining the regulatory approvals.TPDDL has installed smart meters as pilot for 200 consumers. The structure to let consumers participate in the scheme for switching off appliances in case of high electricity grid load has also been implemented on trial basis in 160 homes. Both the schemes will be rolled out by the company in six months of receiving the regulatory approval from Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).

"We will implement majority of technology within 6 to 12 months based on regulator approval," the spokesperson said in response to an email.

The company said the government needs to develop a framework for enabling smooth implementation of smart grid technologies in an integrated manner. Currently technical specifications for procuring various smart grid components are not available. The company is in talks with the DERC seeking approval of schemes related to the smart grid technologies, the spokesperson said.

TDPPL is also looking for funding to from the government to implement the technologies.

TPDDL is implementing a scheme to install and maintain rooftop panels for its commercial and industrial consumers in North and Northwest Delhi. The grid connected plants will have a life span of 25 years to generate up to 1400 units a year. The plants can be set up in an area of 120 square feet per unit with an investment of about Rs. 70,000 per kilowatt.

TPDDL managing director Praveer Sinha said the company’s plans to implement smart meters dovetail well with the Centre’s amended tariff policy that aims to introduce differential power prices in a day. The amended policy mandates consumers to use smart meters that will allow them to interact with distribution companies and save money by switching off appliances during peak hours and use them in non-peak hours. The meters will help curb power thefts, enable net metering and improve accounting.

The target date for installation of meters for consumers with consumption of over 500 units per month is December 2017, while that for consumers with consumption of 200-500 units per month is December 2019.

“To save the environment and to fight climate change, my government has planned a major campaign. By 2022, we want to generate 175 GW of renewable energy. In the last three years, we have already achieved 60 GW or around one-third of this target,” he said.